4:13 p.m., April 10, 2009----Earth Week will be marked by a variety of events from April 15-25, including the announcement by UD President Patrick Harker of the University's Climate Action Plan, a talk by student activist Shanah Trevenna on "Growing a Sustainable Campus," a transportation fair and a tree planting, among others.

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Harker will announce the University's Climate Action Plan at 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, in the Rodney Room of the Perkins Student Center. He will discuss the University's goals for reducing carbon emissions, and John Byrne, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, will detail the findings of the Carbon Footprint Initiative. William T. Wisniewski, U.S. regional EPA administrator, will discuss U.S. environmental policy. A light breakfast will be served. To register for this event, visit [http://www.udel.edu/footprint/breakfast.html].

Trevenna, a student activist from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will discuss "Growing a Sustainable Campus" at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 16, in Multipurpose Room A of the Trabant University Center. Trevenna moved to Hawaii as a graduate student and expected to find a sustainable paradise. Instead, she found that the islands had little recycling. She organized an interdisciplinary student group called the HUB (Help Us Bridge). Since 2007, the HUB has worked with others at the university, as well as organizations across Hawaii, to bring about major changes in policy and practice. Representatives from UD student groups will be on hand to highlight opportunities for members of the University community to get involved.

Following is a day-by-day schedule of the week's events, as well as several activities that are running throughout Earth Week.

Wednesday, April 15

"Bringing Nature Home," noon, Room 206 of the Trabant University Center
Doug Tallamy, chairperson of UD's Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, will discuss the role that native plants play in the restoration of our landscapes. Only native plants provide the co-evolved relationships required by most animals. By supporting a diversity of insect herbivores, native plants provide food for a large and healthy community of natural enemies that keep herbivores in balance and gardens aesthetically pleasing.

Thursday, April 16

Transportation Fair, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Trabant University Center
The fair presents an opportunity to learn about sustainability and research efforts in the area of transportation.

"What Does Sustainable Agriculture Mean to You?," 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Trabant University Center Food Court kiosk
Learn about sustainable agriculture and the role individuals can play in this movement, as well as ways farmers work to protect the environment and why farm viability is important. Also learn more about Delaware farms and the programs that UD Cooperative Extension offers to support local agriculture and communities.

"Growing a Sustainable Campus," 7:30 p.m., Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center
See description above.

Sunday, April 19

The Green Mile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., starting at the South and Central Green walking path and ending at Delaware Avenue
The Gilbert Russell residence hall complex is hosting this 3K event. Recycled shirts will be given to the first 100 participants, along with sustainable door prizes. Environmentally based clubs will be on hand. After the walk/run, staff and students will facilitate fun, environmentally friendly activities. All proceeds will benefit Delaware Greenways, a statewide, nonprofit organization committed to the preservation and enhancement of Delaware's natural, scenic, historic, cultural and recreational resources.

Monday, April 20

Clothing Swap, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Perkins Student Center Gallery
Bring at least one item of clothing to trade in and walk away with as many items as you like. Find new items for your wardrobe without spending money and, at the same time, promote reuse.

No Power Hour, 9 p.m., outside Christiana Commons
For this event hosted by the Christiana Towers residence hall complex, residents will be encouraged to turn off their lights. Glow sticks will be given to residents. Refreshments, music and games will available outside the Commons.

Tuesday, April 21

Turn Me Off Party, 3-5 p.m., Gilbert F Lawn
This field day, hosted by the Gilbert Russell residence hall complex, will feature sports equipment, kites and Rita's Water Ice, to encourage resident to turn off electrical items and step outside in the name of sustainability. Information about energy use also will be available to students.

Wall-E Dive-in Movie, Carpenter Sports Building indoor pool
Open only to UD students, faculty and staff. Watch the Oscar-winning animated movie Wall-E while taking a dip in the indoor pool. The event is sponsored by SCPAB.

Frisbee in the Dark, 9:30 p.m., Turf Field, Independence South Complex
The Independence South Complex is hosting a game of Ultimate Frisbee, played with glow-in-the-dark Frisbees.

Wednesday, April 22

Getting Away Without a Shower Day, all day
The Christiana Towers residence hall complex encourages students to limit showers to 5 minutes. Staff will provide information about water consumption to interested students.

University of Delaware Climate Action Plan, 9-10:30 a.m., Rodney Room, Perkins Student Center
The University's Climate Action Plan was unveiled on Earth Day, as President Patrick Harker, John Byrne and William C. Early, acting regional EPA administrator, discussed strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For details, see the UDaily story.

Celebrate Your Earth, Noon-1:30 p.m., Multipurpose Rooms A&B, Trabant University Center
Learn about individual actions that extend the community's sustainability efforts. Also highlighted will be the many UD areas that are already leading the way in the "Initiative for the Planet."

Earth Day Meal, lunchtime at all four residential dining halls, Trabant University Center and the Scrounge, Perkins Students Center
Special Earth Day themed menu options will be available.

Newark Farm Wetland Project Tour, 2-3 p.m., meet in front of Townsend Hall
Join Chad Nelson, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences, and landscape horticulture and design students Aaron Hallett and Kellie Cox for a tour of the University's newest created wetland project, implemented in fall 2008. Learn how the project was conceived, it anticipated benefits and the steps taken in implementation. Hallett and Cox will explain how they are tracking the success of the project, calculating the quantity of water capable of being captured and kept from adding volume and pollutants to the storm drains and nearby streams during rains. Also learn how the establishment of new plantings is being monitored, along with the usage of the wetland by wildlife. The tour also may include an optional walk to visit other sites protecting water quality on the UD campus.

Eco-House Planting, 8 p.m., Ray Street C Lounge
The Ray Street residence hall complex sponsors an event to paint terracotta pots and plant flowers.

Thursday, April 23

Turn Me Off Party, 3-5 p.m, Independence West Lounge
This social gathering, hosted by the Independence South residence hall complex, will encourage participants to shut off all the electronics in their rooms from 3-5 p.m. In addition to community development activities, students will be able to get information about conserving energy.

Bluewater Wind lecture, 7:30 p.m, 120 Smith Hall
The president of Bluewater Wind, the offshore wind turbine group, will discuss the significance of wind power, alternative energy sources and energy policy. Sponsored by Youth Vote.

Friday, April 24

Arbor Day Tree Planting, time to be announced, Russell Complex
Celebrate Arbor Day with the planting of a tree near the Russell residence hall complex.

Bike Wash, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Turf Field, Independence Complex
Hosted by the Independence South residence hall complex, this "car wash" for bikes will include information about walking or biking around campus.

Saturday, April 25

Litter Me Not, noon, meet in Christiana Commons
For this event, hosted by the Christiana Towers residence hall complex, participants will pick up letter in the area, particularly behind the East Tower and Commons.

Throughout Earth Week

In addition, several activities will run throughout Earth Week.

Online energy audits will be available all week so that members of the University community can determine their own personal energy usage in the residence hall room or in the office. Employees can help reduce their energy usage by using the checklist at [link to come], and those in residence hall rooms can download the worksheet at [link to come] to compute their daily electrical usage.

For "Dim the Lights," all campus dining locations will dim the lights to reduce energy use.

Dining Services will offer the following specials during Earth Week:

o 20 cents off green refillable water bottles and refillable Drink to the Earth coffee mugs;
o Eat Green reusable bags on sale for $2 each or free with the purchase of $5 in organic products from any campus marked;
o buy a Reusable Express eco-clamshell and receive a coupon for a free slice of pizza and a small fountain beverage, redeemable at the Trabant Food Court from 5-7 p.m.; and
o 20 cents off the purchase of any fountain beverage if a lid is not used; and a 20 percent discount on all organic products offered in the campus markets (not be to combined with other Earth Week promotions).

All events are free and open to the University community. For more information, visit [www.udel.edu/earthweek/].

Earth Week was organized by a representative group of faculty, administrators and student leaders.